Phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitors combined with imatinib in patient-derived xenograft models of gastrointestinal stromal tumors: rationale and efficacy.

INTRODUCTION: The PI3K signaling pathway drives tumor cell proliferation and survival in gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). We tested the in vivo efficacy of three PI3K inhibitors (PI3Ki) in patient-derived GIST xenograft models.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: One hundred and sixty-eight nude mice were grafted with human GIST carrying diverse KIT genotypes and PTEN genomic status. Animals were dosed orally for two weeks as follows: control group (untreated); imatinib (IMA); PI3Ki (BKM120-buparlisib, BEZ235, or BYL719) or combinations of imatinib with a PI3Ki. Western blotting, histopathology, and tumor volume evolution were used for the assessment of treatment efficacy. Furthermore, tumor regrowth was evaluated for three weeks after treatment cessation.

RESULTS: PI3Ki monotherapy showed a significant antitumor effect, reflected in tumor volume reduction or stabilization, inhibitory effects on mitotic activity, and PI3K signaling inhibition. The IMA+PI3Ki combination remarkably improved the efficacy of either single-agent treatment with more pronounced tumor volume reduction and enhanced proapoptotic effects over either single agent. Response to IMA+PI3Ki was found to depend on the KIT genotype and specific model-related molecular characteristics.

CONCLUSION: IMA+PI3Ki has significant antitumor efficacy in GIST xenografts as compared with single-agent treatment, resulting in more prominent tumor volume reduction and enhanced induction of apoptosis. Categorization of GIST based on KIT genotype and PI3K/PTEN genomic status combined with dose optimization is suggested for patient selection for clinical trials exploring such combinations.